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Updated: Oct 17, 2025

A Novel Rescue Technique for Difficult Intubation and Difficult Ventilation
Published on: January 17, 2011
[ECMO assisted in the rescue of thyroid tumor pressing the cervical trachea and causing suffocation: a case report]
Abstract:
A 74-year-old woman suffered from asphyxia due to a huge thyroid mass compressing cervical trachea. The patient developed dyspnea, orthopnea, shortness of breath. SpO2 was about 90% under high flow oxygen inhalation. Protuberant mass was seen in the anterior midline of neck. The palpation was hard, the boundary was not clear, and the trachea couldn't be touched. Neck CT showed a huge mass in the thyroid and severe tracheal compression. And electronic laryngoscopy showed paralysis in bilateral vocal cord, which were fixed in the paramedian position. With the further development of the disease, the patient appeared asphyxia and was in critical condition. After multidisciplinary consultation, considering the high risk of direct intubation, ECMO was used to assist and performed "total thyroidectomy + tracheostomy" under general anesthesia. The patient got successful treatment finally.
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